The French-Korean Chamber of Commerce (FKCCI) held a celebration on May 20 at the National Assembly to mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France, as well as the 40th anniversary of FKCCI. The event highlighted the history of cooperation between the two nations from the Joseon Dynasty to the present day.
Following French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Korea last month, the event featured remarks from FKCCI President David Pierre Jalicon, French Ambassador Philippe Berthe, People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won, and former Minister of SMEs and Startups Park Young-sun, among over 80 distinguished guests, emphasizing the significance of friendly cooperation between the two countries.
In his speech, Jalicon stated, "The Korean National Assembly symbolizes the shared values of democracy and freedom between our two countries and is a true testament to our friendship." He added, "Today, the Korea-France relationship has evolved into a genuine 'strategic partnership' encompassing key areas, becoming more integrative in our economies." He expressed optimism for the year ahead, noting that FKCCI will open its own independent building, 'Maison France,' in Gangnam this September, which he hopes will serve as a multipurpose space for the Korea-France business community.
Ambassador Philippe Berthe, in his address, remarked, "In two weeks, on June 4, we will officially celebrate the 140th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. Through a century and a half of friendship, trust, and cooperation, France and Korea have forged closer ties than ever before." He expressed pride in gathering at the National Assembly, a place rich in history and symbolic of the republican values both nations have fought for, and emphasized that France and Korea are called to play increasingly important roles on the international stage based on their shared history, economic dynamism, and rich cultures.
Na Kyung-won, president of the Korea-France Parliamentary Friendship Association, quoted a French proverb, "Little streams gather to form a mighty river," stating, "Based on the trust built over the past 140 years, we must now move together toward a larger sea. The synergy of Korea's dynamism and France's creativity, along with Korea's technological prowess and France's cultural depth, presents us with limitless possibilities."
Park Young-sun shared a personal anecdote from her time as a journalist in the 1980s and 1990s, covering the competition between France's high-speed rail (TGV) and Germany for Korea's high-speed rail project, reflecting on how rapidly cooperation between the two countries has developed since then.
The publication includes historical photographs and narratives, starting from the 1886 Korea-France Treaty of Friendship and Commerce, through the activities of French missionaries in Korea in the 19th century, to the French battalion led by General Ralph Monclar, known as the 'hero of the Battle of Jipyeongri' during the Korean War, and the recent summit between President Lee Jae-myung and President Macron last month.
Additionally, to commemorate FKCCI's 40th anniversary, the publication details key milestones in economic cooperation between the two countries, from the introduction of TGV in Korea in the 1990s to the Korea-European Union Free Trade Agreement in the 2010s, and the current strategic partnerships in various fields such as innovation, mobility, energy, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, luxury, and cultural industries.
Following the ceremony, a special performance by musicians from the Orchestre national Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes was held as part of cultural cooperation between Korea and France.
Founded in 1986 with 20 member companies, FKCCI has grown to include over 475 members, making it the third-largest foreign chamber of commerce in Korea and the sixth-largest among 125 French chambers worldwide.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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